Table tennis practice aid

ABSTRACT

A table tennis training apparatus adapted to be attached to a table tennis table and which apparatus ejects balls towards a user. The apparatus has a plurality of ball projection tubes, each communicating with a source of compressed air. The tubes include a first ball ejection tube having an air regulating device and a plurality of adjustable ball ejection tubes. Balls are fed to the first tube by a magazine loaded with balls and are fed to the second tubes by being sucked by air from the table surface through openings in the tubes adjacent the table surface. A screen is provided about the ball projecting apparatus for arresting and directing balls to the apparatus after being hit by a player.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This U.S. application stems from PCT International Application No.PCT/AU85/00069 filed Apr. 4, 1985.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a training device especially for usewith table tennis tables.

BACKGROUND ART

Practice aids are required by tennis players of all levels. Experiencedplayers need regular practice to maintain and develop keen hand-eyecoordination and to maintain a competitive level of play. Recreationalplayers need practice and exercise on their own schedules when partnersmay not be available. Beginners need concentrated practice on thefundamentals of table tennis, to develop strokes and a game stylesuitable for more serious play.

One practice aid or training device for self practicing table tennis,ping pong or like games is to hit the ball against a resilient backsurface, such as one half of a foldable table which has been folded suchthat one half thereof is substantially perpendicular. This has adisadvantage in that, firstly not all tables can be folded in thismanner and, secondly, it does not aid practice on the full length of thetable in its normal horizontal position.

Practice aids or training devices for table tennis and the like areknown including apparatus for projecting one or more balls towards theplayer. Some known devices have also incorporated means to facilitaterecovery and recycling of balls which have fallen out of play. However,such devices have generally tended to be somewhat limited in that theangle of projection of the delivered balls cannot be readily variedduring play and because a variety of strokes cannot be played orpracticed to provide sufficient game practice.

In addition some practice aids have been relatively complex tomanufacture and there is a need to provide a practice aid or trainingaid which is versatile in performance while being simple in concept andrelatively low in manufacturing costs.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an apparatus that can be arranged toprovide a variety of angled shots without between game adjustments andalso a device that allows more than one ball in play if it is desired toquicken ones reflexes.

According to the present invention there is provided a training devicefor use with table tennis tables which device is adapted to be attachedto a table tennis table and which ejects table tennis balls towards auser (at an angle and speed which more realistically simulates returnplay from a player at the opposite end of the table), the device beingcharacterized by a source of compressed air having at least two outletmeans one of which is in operative communication with a first typeejector tube having means for regulating the entry of balls therein, thesecond outlet means being in operative communication with at least onesecond type ejector tube which can be variably angled relative to thetable and wherein each second type ejector tube is provided with adownwardly opening aperture in its peripheral wall and is adapted to belocated adjacent to wall means disposed so as to guide the balls towardthe apertures.

In another aspect of the present invention the second outlet means is inoperative communication with a manifold which is in operativecommunication with a plurality of second type ejector tubes spaced apartalong the manifold.

According to the present invention there is further provided a tabletennis practice device for use in connection with a table tennis tablecomprising:

(i) frame means extending substantially the width of the table having apliant screen means associated with the frame means to provide a backstop for table tennis balls;

(ii) wall means attached to the frame means below the net means andadapted to abut with and extend the width of the table; and

(iii) a table tennis ball ejecting device attached to the frame meansand located behind the screen means and the wall means the ejectingdevice comprising a source of compressed air having at least two outletmeans one of which is in operative communication with a first typeejector tube extending through said screen means and having means forregulating the entry of balls therein, the second outlet means being incommunication with a manifold which is in operative communication with aplurality of second type ejector tubes spaced apart along said manifoldand extending through said screen means or said wall means and whereineach second type ejector tube can be variably angled relative to thetable, and wherein each second type ejector tube is provided with adownwardly opening aperture in its peripheral wall located adjacent tothe wall means which are disposed so as to guide the balls towards theapertures.

The source of compressed air may be of any type of compressor oruniversal motor-type device, such as a domestic vacuum cleaner, capableof producing a positive air flow.

Preferably the air flow from the compressor can be varied so as to beable to vary the velocity of a ball ejected from the ejector tubes. Suchvariation can be achieved by varying the diameter of the tubes or byapplying choking means to the tubes.

The first type ejector tube is preferably of constant diameter andslightly greater than the diameter of a table tennis ball. Desirably thecompressed air is blown axially into the tube at an end opposite to anejection opening.

The means to regulate the entry of balls into the first type ejectortube is preferably contained in a magazine operatively connected to theejector tube. The magazine is preferably tubular of constant diameterslightly greater than the diameter of a table tennis ball and ispreferably located distal to an opening of the ejector tube. Themagazine is designed to hold at least one ball, and preferably aplurality of balls, and is preferably disposed so that table tennisballs are gravity fed into the ejector tube.

A release mechanism is preferably located within the magazine so as toallow the sequential passage of balls into the ejector tube.

Preferably the release mechanism is a resiliently and pivotally mountedarm having a U-shaped end which projects through an aperture in the wallof the magazine. The aperture is preferably located adjacent to thelower end of the magazine.

The second type ejector tube is preferably of constant diameter andslightly greater than the diameter of a table tennis ball and may bevariably angled relative to the table tennis table. Variation of thelength of the ejector tube also helps to effect the speed and trajectoryof the ball.

The aperture in the peripheral wall of the second type ejector tube isof sufficient size to allow a table tennis ball to pass therethroughinto the ejector tube, and when air is blown through the tube from thecompressor, a negative pressure or venturi effect is produced whichfacilitates the entry of the ball into the tube through the aperture.

In a most preferred embodiment of the invention the second outlet meansis in operative communication with a manifold. The manifold ispreferably tubular and of constant diameter and preferably four secondtype ejector tubes are in operative communication with the manifold. Theejector tubes are preferably equally spaced apart, and are normallydisposed to the manifold, and are rotatable about and adjustably angledrelative to the manifold so as to be able to vary the trajectory of theball when ejected therefrom.

The wall means may be of any type and configuration but is preferably ofL-shaped cross-setion and has a series of alternate rises and fall inits base portion to facilitate direction of balls towards the aperturesin the second type ejector tubes. Alternatively, trough-like guttermeans may be provided to facilitate collection of balls and distributionto the nearest available ejector tube.

There is also provided a means for picking up table tennis ballscomprising a tube of constant diameter having a resiliently constrictedopening at one end. This end of the tube is forced over the balls whichare received within the tube and prevented from falling out of the tubeby the resiliently constricted end. The tube, when full, can be up endedand its contents poured into the magazine means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way ofexample with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a training device of the presentinvention in use with a table tennis table;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the training device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the practice or training deviceaccording to the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional side elevational view of the release mechanism inthe magazine.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The training device for use with a table tennis table as shown in FIGS.1-3 comprises a frame 10 having an upstanding inverted parabolic member12 and a downwardly extending rear leg member 14 attached to the top ofthe parabolic member 12. The frame is disposed in abutment to an end ofthe table tennis table 16 and extends the width of the table.

A wall 18 of substantially L-shape cross-section is attached to andextends between the parabolic member 12. A base portion 20 of the wallabuts the end of the table and comprises alternate rises and falls. Fourapertures 26 penetrate a back portion 27 of the wall and located tocorrespond to the gully formed between adjacent falls of the baseportion.

A pliant screen 28 extends across the parabolic member 12 to form abackscreen. The pliant screen 28 extends downwardly to the wall 18 andis supported to extend forwardly of the frame on either side of thetable so as to produce an open faced enclosure 30.

A side panel 32 extends normally from either end of the wall contactinga longitudinal edge of the table tennis table to act as a deflector forballs which may bounce towards the side of the table.

A table tennis ball projecting device is located behind the screen 28attached to rear leg 14 and includes a compressor 34 having a firstoutlet 36 and a second outlet 38. Outlet 36 is in communcation withflexible conduit 40 which communicates at its other end with first typetubular ejector 42. Ejector 42 is of constant diameter, slightly greaterthan the diameter of a table tennis ball, and projects through andbeyond the screen 28 towards the direction of the player.

A tubular magazine 44 is in communication at its bottom end to ejector42 proximal to its fixed end. The magazine 44 is of constant diameterhaving an open top end 46 and holds a number of table tennis balls.Spaced apart apertures intermittently penetrate the peripheral wallthoughout the length of the magazine for sighting the balls, and toregulate the suction forces inside the magazine.

An axial elongated aperture 50 extends through the lower end of theperipheral wall of the magazine 44 through which having a bight portionof a release mechanism 52 having a U-shaped end 54 projects. The releasemechanism 52 is pivotally mounted at 56 externally to the magazine andis attached at its other end 58 to an end of a spring 60. The spring 60is attached at its other end to the magazine 44 above the aperture 50.The release mechanism 54 is connected by cable means 62 at its end 58with a foot pedal 63 at the player end of the table tennis table.

Outlet 38 is in communication with a lateral tubular manifold 64, ofconstant diameter and disposed in a horizontal position. Four spacedapart ejector tubes 66 are each rotatably attached to, and in aperturecommunication at one end of each tube with, manifold 64.

Each ejector tube 66 has a downwardly opening aperture 70 in the walllocated proximal to the manifold 64.

The ejection tubes 66 are located to extend through and beyond theapertures 26 in the wall 27 with the downwardly opening apertures 70disposed proximally above the valley formed between adjacentdownwardly-sloping sections of the base portion 20 of the wall.

In use the half portion of the table nearest the ejecting device slopesaway from a player, as shown in FIG. 3, to facilitate the movement ofballs toward the wall means.

The release mechanism 52 in the non-use position is disposed so that itsU-shaped end 54 is orientated downwardly within the magazine. In such aposition the upper arm of the U-shaped end projects into the magazineand prevents balls from dropping into the ejector tube by partiallyblocking off the bottom of the magazine. Depressing the foot pedal 63causes end 58 to be lowered thus orienting the U-shaped end upwardly, asecond opposite arm of the U projects into the magazine and the firstarm of the U exits the magazine. Consequently the lowermost ballinitially blocked by the first arm drops and is caught by the second armretaining the ball in the bight portion of the U-shaped end 54. Uponrelease, the U-shaped end is oriented downwardly again, the first armprojects into the tube blocking of the tube. The ball located in thebight portion drops into the ejector tube 42 and is ejected toward aplayer. The ball is played back into the net by the player, whereuponthe ball drops into the gutter and rolls into the nearest depression.

The venturi effect created by air flowing through the ejector tubes 66causes the ball to be sucked in through the downwardly opening aperture70 into the ejector tube 66 and ejected therefrom into play.

The apparatus of the present invention can be made from availablematerials. Embodiments of the invention have been manufactured fromstandard size plastic conduit and standard electric vacuum cleanercomponents.

It will be recognised by persons skilled in the art that numerousvariations and modifications may be made to the invention as describedabove without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention asbroadly described.

I claim:
 1. A training device for use with table tennis tables whichdevice is adapted to be attached to a table tennis table and whichejects table tennis balls towards a user, the device being characterizedby a source of compressed air having at least two outlet means one ofwhich is in operative communication with a first type ejector tubehaving means for regulating the entry of balls therein, the secondoutlet means being in operative communication with at least one secondtype ejector tube which can be variably angled relative to the table andwherein each second type ejector tube is provided with a downwardlyopening aperture in its peripheral wall and is adapted to be locatedadjacent to wall means disposed so as to guide the balls toward theapertures.
 2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the second outletmeans is operatively connected to a manifold which is in communicationwith a plurality of second type ejector tubes spaced along saidmanifold.
 3. A device according to claim 1 wherein the means to regulatethe entry of balls into the first type ejector tube comprises asubstantially vertical tubular magazine operatively connected at itslower end to said ejector tube, said magazine being adapted to house oneor a plurality of balls, and wherein said magazine includes releasemeans adapted to release only one ball at a time into said ejector tube.4. A device according to claim 1 wherein the wall means includes a baseportion having an undulating surface arranged so as to slope towards theaperture in the or each second type ejector tube.
 5. A device accordingto claim 1 wherein the source of compressed air is a vacuum cleaner orother universal motor for producing a positive air flow.
 6. A deviceaccording to claim 1 wherein means are provided to adjust the air flowfrom each ejector tube.
 7. A device according to claim 1 wherein thetrajectory angle and direction of each ejector tube is capable of beingvaried.
 8. A table tennis practice device for use in connection with atable tennis table comprising:(i) frame means extending substantiallythe width of the table having a pliant screen means associated with theframe means to provide a back stop for table tennis balls; (ii) wallmeans attached to the frame means below the net means and adapted toabut with and extend the width of the table; and (iii) a table tennisball ejecting device attached to the frame means and located behind thescreen means and the wall means the ejecting device comprising a sourceof compressed air having at least two outlet means one of which is inoperative communication with a first type ejector tube extending throughsaid screen means and having means for regulating the entry of ballstherein, the second outlet means being in communication with a manifoldwhich is in operative communication with a plurality of second typeejector tubes spaced apart along said manifold and extending throughsaid screen means or said wall means and wherein each second typeejector tube can be variably angled relative to the table, and whereineach second type ejector tube is provided with a downwardly openingaperture in its peripheral wall located adjacent to the wall means whichare disposed so as to guide the balls towards the apertures.